Overview
- Brown suffered a right high-ankle sprain in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve, missing four games while he rehabbed.
- In his Week 6 return against the Jets he led the team with 10 targets but caught 3 passes for 27 yards and recorded a career-high three drops.
- He played Thursday Night Football versus the Bears after being removed from the injury report and practicing fully, finishing with three catches for 48 yards while drawing only a few early targets.
- Teammates and analysts publicly urged patience for Brown's game-speed recovery, DeMario Douglas predicted a breakout and former All-Pro Roddy White said it could take weeks to regain full timing.
- The Patriots' June trade that cost a 2028 first-round pick has intensified scrutiny, and his short-term struggles could affect target distribution and quarterback trust as he works back to form.